This is a first in a new series within the United In Dance podcast focusing on the attack on the Arts, Culture, and Heritage sector in Nova Scotia as a result of the 2026 Provincial budget.

In this conversation we are speaking with Oriana Duinker, Executive Director of The Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia, discussing the complete elimination of funding to the Writers in Schools program, what that means for students, parents and the writers themselves.

We encourage all Nova Scotians to contact their MLA's and demand that these cuts to our cultural landscape be reversed. Templates and how to at: http://www.nsarts.ca/

Part 2 of our conversation with Therese Cruz, Executive Director of Visual Arts Nova Scotia, artist, and Councillor for the Town of Shelburne, all about how we can advocate for the arts in our everyday lives. #FundNSArts

Each year the fear of cuts to arts funding is real, and advocacy for the arts to ensure funding remains intact is vital. But not everyone knows where or how they can help make a difference. So we're diving into the world of arts advocacy and how we can use our voice in a variety of ways.

PLUS! We have singer songwriter and producer Alanna Matty and her brand new single "January" ⁠in our Nova Scotia Music Showcase.

We are very excited to have Therese Cruz, Executive Director of Visual Arts Nova Scotia, artist, and Councillor for the Town of Shelburne, join us this episode to talk about how we can advocate for the arts in our everyday lives.

Each year the fear of cuts to arts funding is real, and advocacy for the arts to ensure funding remains intact is vital. But not everyone knows where or how they can help make a difference. So we're diving into the world of arts advocacy and how we can use our voice in a variety of ways.

PLUS! We have emerging music artist Stacie Lynn and her latest single “Love Myself That Way” in our Nova Scotia Music Showcase.
AND, a little bit of info on the artistic sensation of Voguing in our “Did You Know” segment.

It's high kicks, death drops, and sashays in this episode as we chat with Halifax Drag sensation ZARA MATRIX. We're diving into Drag as a dance form, how ZARA got started, what comes along with such a demanding art form, all about the Halifax Queen scene, new event group "Yas, Halifax!", and so much more.

PLUS! It's breakout star EMSTUU and the latest single "Better Day" in our Nova Scotia Music Showcase.

AND, a little bit of info on the evolution of Burlesque in our "Did You Know" segment.

Connect with Dance Nova Scotia online at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DanceNS.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on our socials ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠

This episode we're joined by psychologist Cia Crawford to discuss the psychology of performance, understanding anxiety as a bully, how it impacts performers, and how to combat it.

AND! we have some fun facts about the history and use of dance in therapeutic practices in our "Did You Know" section.

PLUS! Halifax elctro sensation KITTYBASS is in our Nova Scotia Music Spotlight with her latest release "Oh Boy".

Connect with Dance Nova Scotia online at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DanceNS.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on our socials ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube

It's a full FRINGE episode as we sit down and talk with Dawn Web who is presenting their show RED CORNER at the 2025 Halifax Fringe Festival. And we’ll also be getting a special reading by Dawn of one of their pieces from RED CORNER.

AND! we have some fun facts about the history of dance and its connection with the Halifax Fringe Festival in our "Did You Know" section.

PLUS! Halifax's latest music phenomenons HOBO AQUARIUM is in our Nova Scotia Music Spotlight. All this plus some Latin dance facts and more.

Connect with Dance Nova Scotia online at ⁠⁠⁠⁠DanceNS.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on our socials ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube

We're joined this episode by Nova Johnstone, owner and operator of Port City Ballet, and the founder of the new Port City Ballet Company. We talk all about the creation of the company, what it means for rural Nova Scotia, and touring the province with upcoming shows.

PLUS! Halifax music duo SALTLAMP⁠ ⁠⁠⁠is in our Nova Scotia Music Spotlight. All this plus some Latin dance facts and more.

Connect with Dance Nova Scotia online at ⁠⁠⁠DanceNS.ca⁠⁠⁠ and on our socials ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠YouTube

Local Nova Scotia dancer, 10 year old Taya Tucker and her mom Sally are here to talk about Taya's upcoming exciting adventure as she prepares to join team Canada for the World Dance Championships this July 2025 in Spain.

PLUS! We bring you some special guests we met up with at the recent GMB Dance Day event who let us know what they love about dance!

AND! We have Halifax pop powerhouses G. Roy and Gizelle Grace and their track BOSS GIRL in our Nova Scotia Music Spotlight. All this plus dance facts and more.Connect with Dance Nova Scotia online at ⁠⁠⁠DanceNS.ca⁠⁠⁠ and on our socials ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ / YouTube